The Sacred Flame (1920)

Young high-school teacher Rosalie Allen rejects the love of Dr. Paul Duncan to "save" Lionel Brooks, a man down on his luck. Rosalie finances Lionel's law-school education; and after graduation, when he wins a job with a large corporation, their future appears bright. But Brooks meets the daughter of a rich banker and jilts Rosalie for her, breaking the teacher's heart. Dr. Duncan re-enters Rosalie's life and nurses her back to health, after which grateful Rosalie finally accepts his proposal. Realizing too late his love for Rosalie, Brooks dies of a broken heart.